Mechanical movement



Dec. 10, 1929.

S. L. NQRTON MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Filed July 30 1928 Patented Dec. 10,1929 SATES PATENT OFFPCE STANLEY L. NORTON, F YPSILANTI, MICHIGANMECHANICAL iviovniun'nr Application filed July 30, 1928 Serial no.296,135.

This invention relates to an improved me chanical movement embodied inan internal combustion engine, but equally well adapted forincorporation in a steam engine, air motor or the like, the same beingdesigned to convert reciprocatory motion of a multiple piston structureinto rotary motion for a power or propeller shaft.

The invention has more particular refer- 36 once to that class whichutilizes a rotary propeller shaft, a casing embodying a plurality ofspaced parallel. explosive cylinders disposed concentrically withrespect to the shaft, reciprocatory pistons movable in the cylin- 15ders and a novel operating connection. be-

tween the pistons and the shaft which, in the present instance,constitutes the primary factor of the movement and is in the form of anoscillating actuator. 29 My principal object is to generally improveupon known patented and used structures of this class by providing onewhich is characte 'ized by a peculiarly shaped casing having a portionconstructed to accommodate a dis tinctive type of oscillating actuator,the same being so designed as to compensate for necessary relativemotion between parts, while yet maintaining appropriate movement forimparting motion to the propeller shaft in a dese pendable manner.

A further object is to provide a simplified organization of partsconstructed and coopcrating in a manner for compactness and convenienceof arrangement and reliability in 35 operation and transmission ofpower.

@ther features and advantages of the invention will become more readilyapparent from the following description and drawing.

in the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary View in section and elevation showing anengine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken approximately upon the irregularplane of the 4 line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detailed section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

In carrying out the invention I provide, as before intimated, apeculiarly shaped casing which is generally designated by the referencenumeral 4 and which is distinguishedby a central chamber 5 surrounded bycircumferentially spaced or radial explosive cylinders 6. It is to benoted from Figure 2 that each cylinder is substantially channel-shapedin cross section and embodies an outer curved wall and straight sidewalls. The cylinder in each instance is open on its inner side forcommunication with the chamber 5. Cooperating with the cylinders arewater jackets 7. That part of the casing defining the chamber 5 andindicated by the reference character 8 is provided with a centralizedhanger 9 disposed in axial alinement with a bearing 10 in the partition11. The bearing 10 serves to accommodate the rotary power or propellershaft 12, which as is evident from Figure 1 is equipped with a crank arm1 1.

It will be observed from Figure 1 that the cylinder 6 is of somewhatlongitudinally bowed form and serves to accommodate a correspondinglyshaped reciprocatory piston which in practice is operated from asuitable source of ignition, fuel supply, intake and eX- haust valves,etc. Since howeverthese parts constitute no part of the novelty they arenot detailed.

Attention is next invited to the oscillating actuator, the same beinggenerally designated by the reference numeral. 16. It is ofsphericallysegmental hollow form and fits snugly within the chamber 5asshown in Figure 1. It is open at opposite ends and is formed withacentral diaphragm 17 of conical configuration whose apex portioncarries a coupling finger 18 having ball and socket connection with theaforesaid crank arm 14. Formed integral on the diaphragm 17 atdiametrically opposite points are inwardly extending studs 19 pivotallyconnected with. an annulus 20 which is suspended from the hanger 9through the medium of a fulcrum pin 21. Thus, a universal connection isafforded between the hanger 9 and the actuator 16 permitting it to havethe desired wobbling motion in the various sweeping directions. Formedon the peripheral portion of this actuator opposite each cylinder is apivot pintle 22 extending into a complemental cylinder and affording arockable connection I-u-ounting for the piston. This freedom of motionapparently does not aid in the transmission of power but is essential tocompensate for relative movement between parts to effect unhinderedoperation.

The reciprocatory pistons function in the usual manner of a two or fourcycle engine,

and in the same order as radial cylindered engines. As the pistons arethus fired, the oscillating actuator will be impelled to rotate on aninfinite number of axes, thus producing a force which is imparted to therotary power shaft 12 through the eccentric crank arm 14.

A careful consideration of the description in conjunction With thedrawing will clarify the construction advantages and operation of theinvention. Therefore,a more lengthy description is regarded unnecessary.

I claim: 1. In a structure of the class described, a casing embodying acentralized spherically segmental shaped portion defining an actuatorchamber, circumferentially spaced cylin-,

- ders surrounding said chamber and in open communication therewith, arotary power shaft mounted in the casing and provided with a crank arm,a hanger 1n said chamber in alinement Withsaid shaft, a segmentallyshaped spherically oscillating actuator in said chamber having universalconnection withsaid hanger and eccentric ball and socket connection withsaid crank arm, peripheral pintles on the actuator extending into the .7cylinders, andpistons slidable in the cylinders and mountedfor movementon said pintles.

2. In a structure of the class described, a casing embodying asubstantially spherically segmental shaped central portion defining anactuator chamber, said casing being further constructed toprovidesurrounding circumferentially spaced longitudinally curvedcylinders having open communication with the chamber, a hanger in saidchamber, a bearing 1n the caslng 1n allnement with said hanger,

a shaft mountedfor rotation in the bearing,

' a crank'arm on the shaft, an annulus surroundingsaid hanger, a pivotalconnection between the annulus and hanger, a segmentally shapedspherically oscillating actuator in said chamber embodying adiaphragmhaving studspivotally connected with said annulus, saiddiaphragm havingan extension .operatively joined with said crank arm, outstandingpintles carried by the peripheral portion of the actuator and extendinginto the cylinders, and pistons slidable in the cylinders and mounted onsaid pintles.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

- STANLEY L. NORTON.

